Journal of my MMORPG gaming adventures

June 11, 2008

Ashron’s Call 2 Fans Rejoice. Come Play Age of Conan

It’s hardly worth mentioning that there were fans of the now defunct game, Asheron’s Call 2. Clearly, there weren’t enough of us to keep the game alive. Yet that doesn’t mean that we didn’t exist at all. *Smile* I tired of the game toward the end. There was no “end game” to speak of, something I wasn’t even conscious of at the time. Having graduated from AC2 to numerous other MMOs since then, I’m clearer about what was missing and why I was logging on less, as I got higher in level.

Regardless of all the launch issues, persistent bugs and lag that couldn’t be fixed to save their lives – or their game, the developers put in features that remain favorites of mine to this day. Player item persistence, seasonal landscape changes, pieces of lore and nostalgic items scattered throughout the content for “real” explorers to find. Enough places in the world of Dereth where you could run off and just “be”. A blending of leveling that employed quests and grinding in such a way that they felt one and the same – it all sort of blurred over the lines. Vaults – OMG how I loved vaults. The thrill of figuring out how to solo them by hook or by crook, was one of my favorite pastimes. That was followed by graduating to the group Master Vaults which were mass confusion, riotous and pure lag-hell fun. A reward and itemization system that didn’t dominate or decide the outcome combat. Your spec and play-style, both highly customizable, determined your success.

Some things in AOC are so opposite what I like – all the instancing and
zoning. However, it’s blended in a way with other things that it
doesn’t bother me at all. Later on this week I’m going to do an
in-depth review of the game levels 1 to 20 including the Destiny Quest
system. I want to articulate what it is that I like so much, so that you can
understand where I’m coming from, in case you’re still on the fence
about trying AOC. You can't go wrong with a trial. See if you can get your hands on one once they are allowed into the game.

I will go out on a limb right now and say that if you enjoyed AC2 right
up until its bitter end, I think you’ll find a home in Age of Conan.
It’s all there - the essence of what I loved. Like snowflakes falling
on Christmas Eve. You sense the magic. You feel the wonder. You just
can’t articulate why.

Comments

Ashron’s Call 2 Fans Rejoice. Come Play Age of Conan

It’s hardly worth mentioning that there were fans of the now defunct game, Asheron’s Call 2. Clearly, there weren’t enough of us to keep the game alive. Yet that doesn’t mean that we didn’t exist at all. *Smile* I tired of the game toward the end. There was no “end game” to speak of, something I wasn’t even conscious of at the time. Having graduated from AC2 to numerous other MMOs since then, I’m clearer about what was missing and why I was logging on less, as I got higher in level.

Regardless of all the launch issues, persistent bugs and lag that couldn’t be fixed to save their lives – or their game, the developers put in features that remain favorites of mine to this day. Player item persistence, seasonal landscape changes, pieces of lore and nostalgic items scattered throughout the content for “real” explorers to find. Enough places in the world of Dereth where you could run off and just “be”. A blending of leveling that employed quests and grinding in such a way that they felt one and the same – it all sort of blurred over the lines. Vaults – OMG how I loved vaults. The thrill of figuring out how to solo them by hook or by crook, was one of my favorite pastimes. That was followed by graduating to the group Master Vaults which were mass confusion, riotous and pure lag-hell fun. A reward and itemization system that didn’t dominate or decide the outcome combat. Your spec and play-style, both highly customizable, determined your success.